Volvo 142 License Plate Bulb Size

The Volvo 142 license plate light uses unique bulb sizes DE3423 and 211-2 depending on the specific production period for the vehicle. Available data covers the range from 1967 to 1974.

The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.

Bulb Size by Year Range

Years	Bulb Size
1973-1974	DE3423
1967-1972	211-2

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Festoon bulb, 41mm length, end-cap contacts. 12V.	DE3423
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Festoon bulb, 41mm length, SV8.5 base. 12V, 12W.	211-2

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Volvo 142 license plate bulb specifications cover model years 1967-1974, with two distinct bulb types used across that span.
The DE3423 is an ANSI-standard festoon bulb rated at 12V, with a 41mm length and end-cap contacts, and it fits the Volvo 142 for the 1973-1974 model years.
The 211-2 is an ANSI-standard festoon bulb rated at 12V and 12W, with a 41mm length and an SV8.5 base, and it fits the 1967-1972 model years.
Both bulb types share the same 41mm festoon format and 12V operating voltage, yet they use different base configurations, making them non-interchangeable despite their physical similarities.
The end-cap contact design of the DE3423 differs from the SV8.5 base of the 211-2. The SV8.5 base uses a bayonet-style socket, while end-cap contacts rely on spring tension at each end of the bulb.
The 211-2 carries an explicit 12W power rating, which governs the thermal and electrical load placed on the license plate lamp housing in the 1967-1972 model years.
Both bulb types conform to ANSI standards applicable in the United States and Canada, indicating they are designed for North American market vehicles.
The transition from the 211-2 to the DE3423 occurred between the 1972 and 1973 model years, representing a change in socket type within the same festoon bulb family.